Modular building structure

ABSTRACT

A modular building structure comprised of a plurality of prebuilt boxlike units, each having sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, which are stacked to form successive stories of a building. The units are positioned such that there is an open space between any two units on the same floor level. The interior units at intermediate levels are each stacked between at least four other units. In one embodiment the boxlike units have loadbearing vertical columns which are located inwardly with respect to the sidewalls, and the units are stacked such that at least portions of the sidewalls overlap sufficiently that one or more of the load-bearing columns of the upper and lower units are aligned. In high-level embodiments these columns are posttensioned to form a unitary assembly. In some embodiments the units are arranged with their sidewalls perpendicular to the front of the building, while in other cases each of the walls meets the length of the building at an angle other than 90*.

[ 51 iFCill. 22, W72

Sellley [54] MUDULA BlUlllLDlNG S'lllJC'illUE [72] inventor: Shelley W.Shelley, San Juan, RR.

[73] Assignee: Shelley Systems, lne, Rio Piedras, RR.

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, i969 [21] App]. No; 880,316

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.762,668, Aug. 14,

1968, Pat. No. 3,503,170.

[52] US. Cl. ..52/79,52/227, 52/234 [5 l] lint. Cl ..lE04lh 11/00, E04c3/10 [58] Field olSear-ch ..52/227-229, 234, 52/236, 79, 223

[56] References Citetl UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,254,458 6/1966 Van DerLely ..52/236 3,430,398 3/1969 Green ..52/236 3,455,074 7/1969Rice....... ..52/223 3,500,595 3/1970 Bennett ...52/228 3,503,170 3/1970Shelley .52/236 Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-JamesL. Ridgill, Jr. Attorney-Lee C. Robinson, Jr.

57 seer A modular building structure comprised of a plurality ofprebuilt boxlike units, each having sidewalls, a ceiling and a floorslab, which are stacked to form successive stories of a building. Theunits are positioned such that there is an open space between any twounits on the same floor level. The interior units at intermediate levelsare each stacked between at least four other units. In one embodimentthe boxlilce units have load-bearing vertical columns. which are locatedinwardly with respect to the sidewalls, and the units are stacked suchthat at least portions of the sidewalls overlap sufficiently that one ormore of the load-bearing columns of the upper and lower units arealigned. In high-level embodiments these columns are post-tensioned toform a unitary assembly, In some embodiments the units are arranged withtheir sidewalls perpendicular to the front of the building, while inother cases each of the walls meets the length of the building at anangle other than 90" 18 Claims, ill Drawing Figures SHEET M 0F 5 MODULARBUILDING STRUCTURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No.762,668 filed Aug. 14, 1968, by Shelley W. Shelley, now US. Pat. No.3,503,170.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to modularbuilding structures and more particularly to such structures whichinclude a series of boxlike units of precast material such as concrete.

In several types of prior modular constructions using preformed units,the units were stacked such that the sidewalls of upper and lower unitswere aligned, or partially aligned, to bear the weight of the unitsstacked above. A great disadvantage of such constructions is that thesidewalls of the preformed units must be made thick enough to supportthe structure above it. This adds to the cost of the materials as wellas to the cost of hoisting the units into the final assembly.

A further disadvantage of several construction systems employedheretofore is that the verticalstacks of preformed units notstructurally interlinked with one another. Another disadvantage of someprior constructions is that shafts for utilities must be installed afterassembly of the building, which increases the cost of the building. Astill further disadvantage of many previous systems is that upon finalassembly the appearance of the building is monotonously uniform and thusunattractive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above andother disadvantages by providing a modular building structure ofpreformed boxlike units, each having sidewalls, a ceiling and a floorslab, which are stacked in a staggered fashion such that there is anopen space between any two units on the same floor level. Thus theinterior units at intermediate levels are each stacked between four ormore other units. The open spaces are used for additional living spaceas well as for other uses.

The individual boxlike units preferably are of open construction, inwhich the sidewalls, floor and ceiling are precast of concrete or otherbuilding material. The front, back and any intermediate walls may alsobe formed of concrete or other material, either during or after theassembly of the remaining walls. The units are assembled in stackedrelationship and are provided with a substantial overlap at the sidesthereof. The units are firmly interconnected and are positioned suchthat there is an open space between each two units in the samehorizontal plane, with upper and lower units covering at least a portionof the open spaces at the intermediate levels. The arrangement is suchthat each of the units at the intermediate levels is stacked betweenfour other units.

In some important embodiments of the invention, the preformed units arearranged in a skewed manner such that their sidewalls meet the front ofthe building at an oblique angle. This arrangement gives the building anappearance of irregular shape, causes an attractive play of lights andshades, and exhibits other esthetic qualities often not present in manyprior modular structures. In addition, the apartments and balconies inbuildings of this skewed embodiment have a great deal of privacy and avariety of views.

In certain important embodiments of the invention, the boxlike units aresupported by load-bearing columns which protrude from the surfaces of,and in some cases are made part of, the sidewalls. The units are stackedsuch that some of the load-bearing columns of the upper and lower unitsare in vertical alignment. In high-level embodiments these columns arepost-tensioned by rods or cables passing through the columns to form aunitary assembly having the interior units at intermediate levelsstructurally interlinked with at least four other units of adjacent unitstacks.

In several advantageous arrangements, the rear or front of the structureor both are provided with a corridor or walkway,

which communicates with an elevator shaft or staircase. The corridor maybe precast and supported by cantilever beams from the front walls of theunits, or it may be held in place by the vertical support columns. Inanother embodiment the corridor is formed from an integrated cantileverslab projecting from the floor slab of one unit and the ceiling slab ofthe unit under the adjoining open space. In still other embodiments thecorridor or walkway is positioned between two or more units.

Although buildings constructed in accordance with the invention may beemployed for various purposes, in cases in which the buildings are usedto provide apartments or other living accommodations, each boxlike unitpreferably contains the bedrooms with an intervening bath, and the openspace between the units is formed into a dining and living space. Insome units the kitchen is located in the basic unit; in others it islocated in the open space between the units, and in still other parts ofthe kitchen are located in both the unit and the open space. The kitchenenclosure advantageously is located close to the utility shaft for easyconnection of the utilities. In a preferred design, the bath unit isadjacent to the kitchen facilities so that both use common utilitylines.

In cases in which the buildings are used as hotels, dormitories, smallapartments or similar structures, each boxlike unit may comprise aseparate living enclosure, and the spaces between the units may alsocomprise separate living enclosures. Each unit advantageously may beprovided with two sets of utility facilities, one servicing the: unititself and one servicing the adjacent space.

In some embodiments the end units are provided with special precastsubunits which receive kitchen, libraries or closet facilities.

The open spaces of the uppermost floor may have special precastceilings, for example of flat or U-shaped configuration, to cover them.

In one preferred construction, the columns have central openings throughwhich the post-tensioning cables are ex tended at the end of theassembly. In some high-level embodiments, only a certain number offloors are provided with the post tension cables. In low buildings, orin the upper part of high buildings, the post-tensioning cables can bereplaced by rods which are not post tensioned but are bolted, welded,grouted or otherwise connected to the units.

There is thus provided a structural interlinkage or interconnectionbetween the stacks of units. Since the load-bearing columns support thestructure above, the sidewalls of the units do not have to be made asthickly, thus reducing the cost of materials and of assembly.

In several embodiments of the invention the shaft for the utilities,such as electricity, gas, water, sewage and the like, is disposed in apredetermined location as part of the precast units, ready for assemblyinto the final building structure. The utility shaft also mayaccommodate ducts for heating, air'con ditioning systems and otherutilities.

In other embodiments a construction is provided in which the units, inaddition to being staggered, are overlapped at one or more of theirsides sufficiently beyond the width of the sidewalls to form acontinuous vertical space for the utility shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention, as well asfurther objects and features thereof, will become more fully apparentfrom the following description of certain preferred embodiments, whenread with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention showing an assembly of the boxlike modular overlapping unitsplaced in position to form a building structure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a living unit taken along theline 2-2 of FIG. I, together with certain additional parts.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken along the line33 of FIG. 2, with certain portions shown in section, of two overlappedportions of superimposed building units of the embodiment of FIG. 1,including a post-tensioning cable extending between the units.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken along the line44 of FIG. 2, with certain portions shown in section, of a utilitycolumn and adjacent parts of two overlapped building units of theembodiments of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a cableextending through a foundation slab, a single boxlike unit, as well as aceiling slab of a unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the attachmentsat the cables lower and upper ends.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view illustrating anassembly of living units of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic front view of a portion of a building showinga way of stacking the units of FIG. 6 in upper, lower and intermediatelevels.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view of thestructure which joins the corners of four units of the embodiment ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a third embodiment ofthe invention showing an assembly of the boxlike modular overlappingunits placed in position with their sidewalls forming an acute anglewith the front of the complete building structure.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 thereis shown a building structure having a series of preformed modularboxlike units A which are overlapped atB. Between the units A areinterspaces C which may provide additional living space and may beclosed off at their front and back. The interspaces at ground levelpreferably are provided with floor slabs D, either cast in place orprefabricated, which extend a short distance beneath the adjacentboxlike units A. The units A at the sides of the building are invertically spaced relationship with each other and are provided withconnecting columns E, which may be replaced by continuous walls. Each ofthe units A includes one or more end windows or openings F.

FIG. 2 is illustrative of a typical apartment or dwelling within thebuilding. The apartment comprises a single boxlike unit A which isprovided with a floor 84, a ceiling 85 (FIG. 1), sidewalls 20 and 21 andinterior partitions 22, 23 and 24 extending from front to back.Additional interior partitions 25-28 extend in the transverse directionto divide the apartment into its various rooms. In some good embodimentsthe partitions as well as the exterior walls of the unit A serve asstructural support members for the building, although in otheradvantageous arrangements the partitions and in some cases the exteriorwalls need not have a structural function. Vertical enlargements orcolumns 30-37 are disposed at spaced intervals along the inner surfacesof the sidewalls 20 and 21 and are arranged to accommodatepost-tensioning cables 87.

The boxlike unit A additionally includes a utility column 46 for thewater, gas and sewage lines, electrical cables, air-conditioning andheating ducts and other utilities. The interior is partitioned to formfront bedrooms 38 and 39, a rear bedroom 40 and a bathroom 41 having awashbasin 42, a bath or shower 43, and a toilet 44. These bathroomfacilities are connected to the utility shaft 46, both for entrance ofwater and disposal of sewage.

The interspace C between the unit A and the adjacent unit contains akitchen 50 having a sink 51, a kitchen cabinet and stove 52, a table 53and a refrigerator 54. Closets are provided at 55, 56, 57 and 58 withinthe unit A and at 59 within the interspace C. It will be noted that thesidewall 20 has no openings therein but that the sidewall 21 hasopenings at 60 and 61 which communicate with the kitchen 50 and a livingroom 62 within theinterspace. A utility room 63 is formed within theunit A adjacent the opening 60, and a laundry may be placed at 64 in theutility room.

The front of the living room 62 is provided with folding doors 70 andflower boxes 71 upon the balcony 72. The rear of the apartment has awalkway or corridor 73 extending to suitable elevators or stairs (notshown). This walkway or corridor is supported from the columns 30 and 34by cantilevers (not shown) or other structures.

In the illustrated embodiment the boxlike units A advantageously areprecast as integral, one-piece assemblies at a location remote from thebuilding site. Thus, the floor 84, the ceiling 85, the sidewalls 20 and21, the interior partitions 22 through 28, the columns 30 through 37,the utility shaft 46 and even the flower boxes 71 are all produced as asingle unit. One particularly advantageous way of preparing such unitsis disclosed in copending US. application Ser. No. 790,305, filed Jan.10, 1969, by Shelley W. Shelley.

In other good embodiments the floors, ceilings and sidewalls areassembled in prefabricated units, and some or all of the interiorpartitions and other remaining components are installed at the buildingsite.

In FIG. 3 there is shown the overlapping of a bottom corner of an upperunit A and the upper corner 81 of a lower unit A. The floor slab 84 isintegral with a structural column 33a in the upper unit A, and theceiling slab 85 is integral with a structural column 37b in the lowerunit A. The space 86 between the corners is sealed by means of groutingor other sealing materials.

The units A are held together by one or more cables or rods 87, whichextend through a vertical space 88 in the columns 33a and 37b. The space88 is grouted after the cable or rod has been tensioned in position.Each cable or rod may extend through all of the units vertically fromthe ground to the top, or it may extend through only some of the unitsdepending upon the structural requirements of the particular building.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a utility shaft 46a formed by asidewall 21a of one of the boxlike units and an inside partition 93. Forthe immediately subjacent boxlike unit a utility shaft 46b is formed bya sidewall 20b and an inside partition 94 and is disposed in overlappingrelationship with the shaft 46a. In the illustrated embodiment the walls21a, 93 and 20b, 94 are integrally formed with the floor and ceilingstructures 84 and 85, respectively, although in other cases they may befabricated separately of asbestos, cement or other material and may beprovided with removable panels to allow access for repairs. The spacebetween the overlapping portions of the units is sealed by grout 97.

The utility shafts 46a and 46b communicate with each other throughopenings and 101 in the overlapping portions of the floor and ceilingslabs 84 and 85. The utility shafts accommodate various pipes 98 and 99for conducting water, sewage, or other utilities. The utilities may beplaced in position prior to the assembly of the units A and connectedfrom one unit to the next upper or lower unit, after the units are inplace. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the utilities are placedwithin the shafts after the units have been assembled. The utilityconduits are usually in a straight line, and sufficient space isprovided to permit whatever utilities are necessary, with connections tothe kitchen, bathroom and other outlets in each unit.

In forming the utility shafts 46a and 46b, it will be noted that theshafts only partially overlap. The extra, nonoverlapping spaces 75 and76 are used for access or for repair purposes. To achieve this partialoverlapping, the floor plans of the units are made with a reversearrangement for alternate floors. It is not necessary that the floorplans of the overlapping units be mirror images of each other, as longas the openings for the utility shafts are aligned when the building isassembled.

In FIG. 5, one end of a post-tensioning cable 07 or rod is mounted bymeans of plates MI and 142 and a securing device M3 in an enlargedgrout-filled opening M4 within the footing structure I45 of thebuilding. This footing structure is buried in the ground and extendsupwardly to a point M6 directly below a floor slab M7. The floor slab147 is positioned directly below the interspace M0 between adjacentmodular units 149 on the ground floor. An upper modular unit isindicated at 150. A top slab 1511 rests on the modular unit 1150 andextends over the interspace between the unit 150 and its adjacent unit.

The broken space indicated at K52 indicates that any number of modularunits may be positioned between the lowermost unit M9 and the uppermostunit 150. The top slab 151 is provided with a recess 153 which receivestwo plates 154 and 155 and a securing device 1156 for the upper end ofthe post-tensioning cable 140. The recess 153 is then filled in withgrout or other suitable material. The spaces indicated at 88, 158, I60and 161 also are filled with grout.

Because of the post-tensioning cables 87, all the boxes or units A areunitarily assembled together with the overlapping portions B highlycompressed. In addition, the walls and partitions of each unit areprovided with vertical reinforcing cables or rods (not visible in thedrawings) during casting. The assembled units act both vertically andhorizontally to provide a monolithic structure, with both the floor andceiling slabs tied together and with the vertical walls and partitionssandwiched therebetween.

The building is particularly resistant to earthquakes because of thehigh rigidity of the individual boxes and because of the flexibility ofthe entire structure, due to the overlapping and staggered arrangementof the boxes. Each of the interior intermediate units is post-tensionednot between two other units but between four other units on the fourcorners thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 6A and 7, another embodiment of the presentinvention is shown as comprising a series of substantially identicalpreformed modular units 200a, 200b, 200e, 200d, 200s and 200). The units2000 and 200d are located one floor beneath the units 2000, 2001: and200e and are partially overlapped by them. Between the units 2001; and2002 is an interspace 2011a. The interspace 20111 is partially closed atone end by partitions 202a and is bounded at its other end by the unit200a. The unit 2000 includes a ceiling slab 2030 which forms the floorof the interspace 201a. The floor slab (not visible in FIGS. 6 and 7 butshown in FIG. 6A) of the unit 200f immediately above the interspace llaforms its ceiling. The interiors of the units 200a and 20% arepartitioned by walls 205a and 20512, respectively, into bedrooms,bathrooms, closets, etc.

As the embodiment of FIGS. 6, 6A and 7 is intended primarily for use asa hotel or motel, no provisions for kitchen facilities are shown.However, other embodiments intended as housekeeping structures doprovide kitchen facilities.

The unit 200a has a floor slab 204a and a ceiling slab 209a. Partiallyclosing one end of the unit 200a is a front wall 206a having a window207a. Opposite the front wall 206a is a rear wall 208a. Extendingperpendicularly from opposite ends of the front wall 200a are sidewalls2ll0a and 2112a. Joining the sidewall 2100 to the rear wall 200a is areinforced wall 214a. The wall 2M0 makes interior angles of 135 with thewalls 200a and 2100. Similarly, a reinforced wall 216a joins thesidewall 2112a to the rear wall 208a and makes interior angles of I35therewith. The units 200b, 2000, 200d, 200]", etc., likewise are precastwith angularly extending reinforced walls at the front or back cornersof the units. In other embodiments the reinforcing walls makecomplimentary interior angles between 90 and 180 with at least some ofthe remaining walls.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the reinforced wall 216a ofthe unit 200a isjoined with the corresponding reinforced wall 21617 of the unit 20012 bybolts 220, thus linking these units at their corresponding corners.Similarly, the reinforced wall 214a is bolted to the correspondingreinforced wall 21% of the unit 200e, and the reinforced wall 21140 ofthe unit 2000 is bolted to the reinforced wall 214d of the unit 200d. Ateach floor level, the staggered units are assembled by connecting thecorresponding corner walls of a select number of units. Both theassembled units and the interspaces between the units are used as rooms.In some low-level embodiments the bolts 220 are omitted, while in otherembodiments the bolts may be replaced by horizontal rods or pegs toprevent relative move ment between the units.

Adjacent the interior corner formed at the juncture of the walls 206aand 2ll0a is an integrally cast support column 2ll0a. At the interiorcorner formed at the juncture of the walls 206a and 212a is a supportcolumn 220a. These support columns are aligned over similar columns inunits beneath the unit 200a and under similar columns in units above theunit 2000. Cables 219a and 221a pass vertically through the alignedcolumns to post tension the stacked and overlapped units. In a likemanner, the units 2001:, 200d and 2002 have corresponding verticalsupport columns 218b, 220b, 221d and 210e, with their respectivepost-tensioning cables 21%, 221b, 221d and 2ll9e.

Beneath the walls 216a and 2116b and perpendicular to them, are thecorner walls 214k and 21% of the units 200C and 200a, respectively. Thewalls 2140 and 214d are joined in a manner similar to the walls 216a and2116b with a space 226 between them for the vertical cable 224. Thewalls 2ll6a and 2l6b rest upon and are supported on the walls 2lllc and210 M. The cable 224 passes through the centers of the spaces 222 and226 and is used to post tension both pairs of walls. The cable 224 alsopost tensions units above and below the units 200a, 200b, 200s and20011.

The end mountings for the cables 2119a, 21%, 219e, 221a, 221b and 221dare similar to the mountings of the embodiment of FIG. 5. The spaces 222and 2216 are filled with grout or other suitable material to seal them.

The sidewall 212a of the unit 200a overlaps the underlying sidewall 210dof the unit 200d beyond the width of the sidewall 210d so that a space228 is created. Likewise, the rear wall 200!) of the unit 20% overlapsthe rear wall 208d of the unit 200d beyond the width of the wall 208d tocreate a space 230. In a similar manner, the wall 21% overlaps the wall2100 to create a space 232, the wall 2ll0e overlaps the wall 2120 tocreate a space 234, and the wall 208a overlaps the wall 2080 to create aspace 236. In a preferred embodiment, some or all of these spaces areused to accommodate utilities. The floor and ceiling slabs are providedwith suitable holes at their overlapping portions which align withcorresponding holes in the slabs beneath and above to form a verticalutility shaft. These utility shafts pass through substantially theentire height of the assembled structure.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a third embodiment of the present inventionis shown as comprising an assembly of preformed modular boxlike unitswhich in general are similar to the type discussed above with referenceto FIG. ll. In FIG. 0 the individual units are identified by thereference character 300 followed by an alphabetical suffix to denote theposition of the unit within the assembled structure. The unit 300a isstacked over the spaced-apart units 300a and 3300b and beneath thespaced-apart units 300d and 30042; with one of its sidewalls302cextending beyond the corresponding sidewalls 304a and 304d of theunits 300a and 300d and its other sidewall 304k: extending beyond thecorresponding sidewalls 302b and 302:: of the unit 30Gb and 300s. In thecomplete assembly the units are stacked and overlapped with open spacesbetween the units at the same horizontal plane or level. These openspaces are used as additional living areas or as balconies.

The sidewalls 302a, 302b, 302e, 302d, 302e, 3041a, 304b, 30 k, 30d and304:2 of the units 300 are skewed with respect to the length of thebuilding, as represented by the line 306, meeting it at oblique angles.In the embodiment of FIG. ll the angle a is of the order of 60 andpreferably should lie within the range of from about 10 to about forbest results. The front corners 300a, 3081: and, 308C, 300d and 308s: ofthe units 300 are disposed in an imaginary vertical plane which definesthe length of the building.

The building additionally includes a series of support columns which arealigned in a manner similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Thecolumns of the unit 3000 will be described in detail, but it is to beunderstood that the units 3000 and 300b have corresponding columns(which are also numbered correspondingly in FIG. 9). One support column3110 is positioned at a rear corner 3100 of the unit 3000 adjacent thesidewall 3020. A second support column 3130 is positioned intermediatethe ends of the sidewall 3040 and is directly opposite the column 3110on a line parallel to the length of the building. The column 3130 isaligned directly over the rear corner 31% of the unit 30% when thebuilding is assembled. A third support column 3150 is positioned in thefront .corner of the unit 300c in diagonally opposite relationship withthe column 3110. A fourth support column 3170 is positioned intermediatethe ends of the sidewall 3020 and is directly opposite the column 3150on a line parallel with the length of the building. The support columnsare integrally formed with the units during the casting operation andmay be provided with post-tensioning cables after assembly in a mannersimilar to that described heretofore.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the invention is showncomprising a series of preformed units 400 arranged in a skewed mannerwith respect to the length of the building in a manner similar to thatof the embodiment of HO. 8, that is, at an oblique angle. The embodimentof FIG. 10 is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 8 exceptthat the units 400 are not completely rectangular. A portion 402 of eachof the front walls 404 is parallel to the length of the building ratherthan at an acute angle to it. This allows the units 400 to have twofront views.

By arranging the individual boxlike units at acute angles in the mannershown in FIGS. 810, the building gives the appearance of irregularshape, the play of shades and light is attractive, and the structureexhibits other esthetic advantages. In addition, the apartments andbalconies have a great deal of privacy, a greater variety of views areafforded, and the buildings are wind catching.

Although the various boxlike units in the embodiments of FIGS, 1-9 havebeen shown and described as being rectangular, in other advantageousarrangements the units are of nonrectangular configuration, as shown inFIG. 10, for example. The opposite sidewalls of the units may convergeor diverge relative to one another, and triangular units, circularunits, or units of still other geometric shapes may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. The term boxlike,"as used herein, is intended to denote a building unit which defines asubstantially enclosed space, with or without floors and ceilings, ofsubstantially any geometric configuration.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of limiting any of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlike unitseach of which has sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, the units beingstacked in upper, lower and intermediate levels with a portion of eachunit overlapping a portion of another unit at a different level suchthat adjacent sidewalls at successive levels are in staggered,noncoplanar relationship with each other, and column means forstructurally connecting the units, said column means including a seriesof vertical support columns monolithically formed with the staggeredsidewalls and projecting laterally therefrom, the support columns on thesidewalls of upper boxlike units resting on top of the support columnsof adjacent lower boxlike units, the units being positioned so thatthere is an open space between adjacent units in the same level and sothat there is at least one unit in the intermediate level which isstacked between at least four other units, the units in the upper andthe lower levels partially enclosing the open space at the intermediatelevel.

2. A modular building structure as recited in claim 1 wherein eachboxlike unit has a vertical shaft for utilities extending through theunit.

3. A modular building structure as recited in claim 2 wherein thelocation of the utility shaft within each boxlike unit in theintermediate level is a mirror image of the location of the utilityshaft in the boxlike unit in the adjoining upper and lower levels, theutility shafts of adjacent boxlike units in different levels being incommunication with each other.

4. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlike unitseach of which has sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, the units beingstacked in upper, lower and intermediate levels with a portion of each'unit overlapping a portion of another unit at a different level suchthat adjacent sidewalls at successive levels are in staggered,noncoplanar relationship with each other with a substantial overlaptherebetween, the units being positioned so that there is an open spacebetween adjacent units in the same level and so that there is at leastone unit in the intermediate level which is stacked between at leastfour other units, the units in the upper and the lower levels partiallyenclosing the open space at the intermediate level, and post-tensioningmembers extending through the overlapping units to post tension at leastone unit between the four other units.

5. A modular building structure as recited in claim 4 wherein thepost-tensioning members comprise vertical support columns integrally andmonolithically projecting from the sidewalls of each boxlike unit, andmeans for connecting selected ones of the columns, at least some of thecolumns of adjoining upper and lower boxlike units being in sufficientvertical alignment with each other to allow the connecting means toextend through the support columns.

6. A modular building structure as recited in claim 4 wherein each ofthe boxlike units includes an interior partition.

7. A modular building structure as recited in claim 6 wherein theinterior partitions are integral with the units.

8. A modular building structure as recited in claim 7 wherein theinterior partitions acting in conjunction with at least one sidewalldefine a vertical utility shaft within each unit.

9. A modular building structure as recited in claim 8 including meansdefining openings in the ceiling and floor slabs of each boxlike unit toprovide communication between the vertical utility shafts.

10. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlike unitseach of which has sidewalls, a ceiling and floor slab, the units beingstacked in upper, lower and intermediate levels with a portion of eachunit overlapping a portion of another unit at a different level beyondthe combined width of the sidewalls, and column means for structurallyconnecting the units, said column means including a series of verticalsupport columns monolithically formed with the staggered sidewalls andprojecting laterally therefrom, the support columns on the sidewalls ofupper boxlike units resting on top of the support columns of adjacentlower boxlike units, the units being positioned so that there is an openspace between adjacent units in the same level and so that there is atleast one unit in the intermediate level which is stacked between atleast four other units, the units in the upper and the lower levelspartially enclosing the open space at the intermediate level.

11. A modular building structure as recited in claim 10 wherein theoverlapping portion of a unit at a given level and the overlappingportion of an adjacent unit at a different level partially define avertically extending space through the units, and means for containingutilities disposed within said vertically extending space.

12. A modular building structure as recited in claim 11 wherein theconnecting means includes means passing vertically through the supportcolumns for ing units together.

13. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlikeunits, each of which has sidewalls, a ceiling, a floor slab and at leasttwo angularly disposed corner walls, each of the corner walls meetingtwo of the sidewalls at obtuse angles, the units being stacked in upper,lower and intermediate levels with at least one of the corner walls ofeach unit in a given level abutting at least one corner wall of anotherunit in that level and resting on at least one corner wall of a unit inan adjoining lower level, adjacent sidewalls at successive levels beingin staggered, noncoplanar relationship with each other, and means forstructurally connecting the units, the units being positioned so thatthere is an open space between three adjacent units in the same leveland so that there is at least one unit in the intermediate level whichis stacked between at least four other units, the units in the upper andlower levels partially enclosing the open space at the intermediatelevel.

14. A modular building structure as recited in claim 13 wherein theconnecting means includes vertical support columns projecting from thesidewalls of each boxlike unit which are aligned with the verticalsupport columns of adjoining upper and lower boxlike units, firstpost-tensioning means extending vertically through the support columns,and second post-tensioning means extending vertically through the pairsof abutting corner walls.

15. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlike unitseach of which has sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, the units beingstacked in upper, lower and intermediate levels such that adjacentsidewalls at successive levels are in staggered, noncoplanarrelationship with each other, and column means for structurallyconnecting the units, said column means including a series of verticalsupport columns monolithically formed with the staggered sidewalls andprojecting laterally therefrom, the support columns on the sidewalls ofupper boxlike units resting on top of the support columns of adjacentlower boxlike units, the units being positioned so that there is an openspace between adjacent units in the same level and so that there is atleast one unit in the intermediate level which is stacked between atleast four other units, the units in the upper and lower levelspartially enclosing the open space at the intermediate level, said unitsbeing arranged in skewed manner such that selected corresponding cornersof the units lie in a single vertical plane and the sidewalls of theunits form oblique angles with the vertical plane.

post tensioning adjoinll ll 16. A modular building structure comprisinga plurality of boxlike units each of which has sidewalls, a ceiling anda floor slab, the units being stacked in upper, lower and intermediatelevels such that adjacent sidewalls at successive levels are instaggered, noncoplanar relationship with each other, and posttensionedcolumn means for structurally connecting the units, said column meansincluding a series of vertical support columns monolithically formedwith the staggered sidewalls and projecting laterally therefrom, thesupport columns on the sidewalls of upper boxlike units resting on topof the support columns of adjacent lower boxlike units, the units beingpositioned so that there is an open space between adjacent units in thesame level and so that there is at least one unit in the intermediatelevel which is stacked between at least four other units, the units inthe upper and lower levels partially enclosing the open space at theintermediate level, each unit overlapping a portion of another unit at adifferent level, said units being arranged in a skewed manner such thatselected cor responding corners of the units lie in a single verticalplane and the sidewalls of the units form an oblique angle with thevertical plane.

17. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlike unitseach of which has sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab to define afirst living enclosure, the units being positioned so that there is anopen space between adjacent units, a ceiling slab and sidewalls bridgingand enclosing the open space to define a second livin enclosure, andmeans within one of said boxlike units for de mmg a pair of utilityareas, one

of the utility areas servicing the first living enclosure defined bysaid one unit and the other utility area servicing the second livingenclosure defined by the adjacent open space.

18. A building structure comprising .a plurality of boxlike units havingexterior walls and interior partitions, the units being stacked inupper, lower and intermediate levels with only a portion of each unitoverlapping a portion of another unit at a different level such thatadjacent sidewalls at successive levels are in staggered, noncoplanarrelationship with each other, the units being positioned so that thereis an open living area between adjacent units in the same level and sothat there is at least one unit in the intermediate level which isstacked between at least four other units, column means monolithicallyprojecting from the sidewalls of the units and serving as structuralsupport members for the building, and means for post tensioning the oneunit at the intermediate level between the four other units.

1. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of boxlike unitseach of which has sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, the units beingstacked in upper, lower and intermediate levels with a portion of eachunit overlapping a portion of another unit at a different level suchthat adjacent sidewalls at successive levels are in staggered,noncoplanar relationship with each other, and column means forstructurally connecting the units, said column means including a seriesof vertical support columns monolithically formed with the staggeredsidewalls and projecting laterally therefrom, the support columns on thesidewalls of upper boxlike units resting on top of the support columnsof adjacent lower boxlike units, the units being positioned so thatthere is an open space between adjacent units in the same level and sothat there is at least one unit in the intermediate level which isstacked between at least four other units, the units in the upper andthe lower levels partially enclosing the open space at the intermediatelevel.
 2. A modular building structure as recited in claim 1 wHereineach boxlike unit has a vertical shaft for utilities extending throughthe unit.
 3. A modular building structure as recited in claim 2 whereinthe location of the utility shaft within each boxlike unit in theintermediate level is a mirror image of the location of the utilityshaft in the boxlike unit in the adjoining upper and lower levels, theutility shafts of adjacent boxlike units in different levels being incommunication with each other.
 4. A modular building structurecomprising a plurality of boxlike units each of which has sidewalls, aceiling and a floor slab, the units being stacked in upper, lower andintermediate levels with a portion of each unit overlapping a portion ofanother unit at a different level such that adjacent sidewalls atsuccessive levels are in staggered, noncoplanar relationship with eachother with a substantial overlap therebetween, the units beingpositioned so that there is an open space between adjacent units in thesame level and so that there is at least one unit in the intermediatelevel which is stacked between at least four other units, the units inthe upper and the lower levels partially enclosing the open space at theintermediate level, and post-tensioning members extending through theoverlapping units to post tension at least one unit between the fourother units.
 5. A modular building structure as recited in claim 4wherein the post-tensioning members comprise vertical support columnsintegrally and monolithically projecting from the sidewalls of eachboxlike unit, and means for connecting selected ones of the columns, atleast some of the columns of adjoining upper and lower boxlike unitsbeing in sufficient vertical alignment with each other to allow theconnecting means to extend through the support columns.
 6. A modularbuilding structure as recited in claim 4 wherein each of the boxlikeunits includes an interior partition.
 7. A modular building structure asrecited in claim 6 wherein the interior partitions are integral with theunits.
 8. A modular building structure as recited in claim 7 wherein theinterior partitions acting in conjunction with at least one sidewalldefine a vertical utility shaft within each unit.
 9. A modular buildingstructure as recited in claim 8 including means defining openings in theceiling and floor slabs of each boxlike unit to provide communicationbetween the vertical utility shafts.
 10. A modular building structurecomprising a plurality of boxlike units each of which has sidewalls, aceiling and floor slab, the units being stacked in upper, lower andintermediate levels with a portion of each unit overlapping a portion ofanother unit at a different level beyond the combined width of thesidewalls, and column means for structurally connecting the units, saidcolumn means including a series of vertical support columnsmonolithically formed with the staggered sidewalls and projectinglaterally therefrom, the support columns on the sidewalls of upperboxlike units resting on top of the support columns of adjacent lowerboxlike units, the units being positioned so that there is an open spacebetween adjacent units in the same level and so that there is at leastone unit in the intermediate level which is stacked between at leastfour other units, the units in the upper and the lower levels partiallyenclosing the open space at the intermediate level.
 11. A modularbuilding structure as recited in claim 10 wherein the overlappingportion of a unit at a given level and the overlapping portion of anadjacent unit at a different level partially define a verticallyextending space through the units, and means for containing utilitiesdisposed within said vertically extending space.
 12. A modular buildingstructure as recited in claim 11 wherein the connecting means includesmeans passing vertically through the support columns for post tensioningadjoining units together.
 13. A modular building structure comprising aplurality of boxlike units, each of which has sidewalls, a ceiling, afloor slab and at least two angularly disposed corner walls, each of thecorner walls meeting two of the sidewalls at obtuse angles, the unitsbeing stacked in upper, lower and intermediate levels with at least oneof the corner walls of each unit in a given level abutting at least onecorner wall of another unit in that level and resting on at least onecorner wall of a unit in an adjoining lower level, adjacent sidewalls atsuccessive levels being in staggered, noncoplanar relationship with eachother, and means for structurally connecting the units, the units beingpositioned so that there is an open space between three adjacent unitsin the same level and so that there is at least one unit in theintermediate level which is stacked between at least four other units,the units in the upper and lower levels partially enclosing the openspace at the intermediate level.
 14. A modular building structure asrecited in claim 13 wherein the connecting means includes verticalsupport columns projecting from the sidewalls of each boxlike unit whichare aligned with the vertical support columns of adjoining upper andlower boxlike units, first post-tensioning means extending verticallythrough the support columns, and second post-tensioning means extendingvertically through the pairs of abutting corner walls.
 15. A modularbuilding structure comprising a plurality of boxlike units each of whichhas sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, the units being stacked inupper, lower and intermediate levels such that adjacent sidewalls atsuccessive levels are in staggered, noncoplanar relationship with eachother, and column means for structurally connecting the units, saidcolumn means including a series of vertical support columnsmonolithically formed with the staggered sidewalls and projectinglaterally therefrom, the support columns on the sidewalls of upperboxlike units resting on top of the support columns of adjacent lowerboxlike units, the units being positioned so that there is an open spacebetween adjacent units in the same level and so that there is at leastone unit in the intermediate level which is stacked between at leastfour other units, the units in the upper and lower levels partiallyenclosing the open space at the intermediate level, said units beingarranged in skewed manner such that selected corresponding corners ofthe units lie in a single vertical plane and the sidewalls of the unitsform oblique angles with the vertical plane.
 16. A modular buildingstructure comprising a plurality of boxlike units each of which hassidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab, the units being stacked in upper,lower and intermediate levels such that adjacent sidewalls at successivelevels are in staggered, noncoplanar relationship with each other, andpost-tensioned column means for structurally connecting the units, saidcolumn means including a series of vertical support columnsmonolithically formed with the staggered sidewalls and projectinglaterally therefrom, the support columns on the sidewalls of upperboxlike units resting on top of the support columns of adjacent lowerboxlike units, the units being positioned so that there is an open spacebetween adjacent units in the same level and so that there is at leastone unit in the intermediate level which is stacked between at leastfour other units, the units in the upper and lower levels partiallyenclosing the open space at the intermediate level, each unitoverlapping a portion of another unit at a different level, said unitsbeing arranged in a skewed manner such that selected correspondingcorners of the units lie in a single vertical plane and the sidewalls ofthe units form an oblique angle with the vertical plane.
 17. A modularbuilding structure comprising a plurality of boxlike units each of whichhas sidewalls, a ceiling and a floor slab to define a first livingenclosure, the units being positioned so that there is an open spacebetween adjacent units, a ceiling slab anD sidewalls bridging andenclosing the open space to define a second living enclosure, and meanswithin one of said boxlike units for defining a pair of utility areas,one of the utility areas servicing the first living enclosure defined bysaid one unit and the other utility area servicing the second livingenclosure defined by the adjacent open space.
 18. A building structurecomprising a plurality of boxlike units having exterior walls andinterior partitions, the units being stacked in upper, lower andintermediate levels with only a portion of each unit overlapping aportion of another unit at a different level such that adjacentsidewalls at successive levels are in staggered, noncoplanarrelationship with each other, the units being positioned so that thereis an open living area between adjacent units in the same level and sothat there is at least one unit in the intermediate level which isstacked between at least four other units, column means monolithicallyprojecting from the sidewalls of the units and serving as structuralsupport members for the building, and means for post tensioning the oneunit at the intermediate level between the four other units.